Printing mechanism for toothbrushes and like articles



March 12, 1929. p, w -r o 1,705,277

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR woowasausas's AND Lugs ARTICLES Filed Aug. 24, 1927. 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Miner FM eimare ATTORNEY Marh 12, 1929.

M. P. ws'moaz j 1,705,277 PRINTING MECHANISM FOR TOOTHBRUSHES AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed Aug. 24, 1927. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I y Z -ATTORNEY'I Patented Mar. 12, 19?;

UNITED STATES MINER P. WETMORE, OFhTORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

PRINTING MECHANISM FORTOOTI-IBRUSHES Ann LIKE ARTICLES.

Application filed August 24, 1925. Serial No. 215,008.

My invention is for a new and improved machine by means of which a person may print his name or any other desired notations on such articles as toothbrushes, pencils and the like. In using this apparatus, it is only necessary for the operator to insert the article, adjust a pointer which automatically sets a type wheel, and pull a handle which moves the inserted article against the. type to make an impression. The mechanism is comparatively simple, easy to assemble, and

Furthermore,

is certain in its operation. the parts are rugged and not liable to get out of order.

So that my invention may be fully understood by those skilled in the art, I shall describe in detail the construction illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 represents a front view of a machineembodying my invention, with certain parts broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a detached perspective view, on a larger scale, of the escapement device which controls the axial spacing movement of the type wheel; I i

Fig. 3 shows a transverse section on line 3--3 of Fig. l, the parts being in normal position; i I

Fig. i is a view on section line 4i 4r of Fig. 1, with the parts in printing position; and

Fig. 5 is a left end view of the machine.

The operative parts of the mechanism are,

mounted on a suitable base or frame. which in this instance consists of a pair of side plates 10 and 1.1 rigidly connected by rods 12, 13 and 14. These plates can be made of sheet metal and may be provided with lateral strengthening flan es i5. A shaft 16 is rotatably supported 'etween the plates 10 and il in bearings 17.. A type wheel 18 is fixed on shaft 16, so to rotate therewith at all times, yet capable of axial movement thereon. For this purpose the wheel 18 is fixed to a disk 19 provided at oneend oi a sleeve 20 alidably mounted on shaft 16. A key or spline 2 fixed in a groove on shaft 16 looks the sleeve 20 to the shaft -tor rotary movement therewith. but permits axial movement of the sleeve on the shaft. As shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve 20 is circumferentially grooved so as to provide teeth. 22. The wheel 18 may simply be a sheet metal disk to the circumifen ence of which is fastened a segment 23 bearinn; suitable type 24. Over a portion of its periphery, the type wheel 18has teeth 25 adaptedto cooperate with locking member for holding the wheel locked against rotary movement during the printing operation, as willlater be more fully explained. An expanding coil spring 26 is mounted on shaft 16 for pushing the type wheel toward the right whenever the sleeve 20 is released for axial spacing movement. This will presently be described in detail.

The printing shaft 16 is rotated by means of an arm 27 fixed on the left end of the shaft. The end plate 10 of the base or framework of the machine ispr ovided with an 'index 28 having letters or other indicia corresponding to the type on wheel 18. The index may conveniently be formed of a flexible band or ribbon of metal or other suitable material, andthis band is mounted over an arcuate strip 29. 2S and the supporting strip 29 .to the flange 15 of plate 10, as best shown in Fig. 5. The arm 27 is provided at its free end with a fin ger piece 31 and also with a pointer 32 ar ranged to move over the type index 28. To bring the desired letter or notation into printing position, the operator moves the arm 27 until the pointer 32 is in line with the corresponding letter or notation on the index band. V

I now come to the connections for impart ing a step-by-step axial movement of the type wheel 18 on shaft 16. Between the end plates 10 and. 11 is fixed a bar 33 whichhas its'ends 34 bent laterally against the end plates for receiving screws 85 or other fastening means. (he the rods 13 and 14 is mounted an upright post 36. A shaft 37 is Screws hold the index band rotatably supported at its ends bylthe hori zontal bar 83 and the vertical post 36. A plnion 38 is fixed on shaft 37 so as to be in permanent engagement with the teeth of the slidable sleeve 20. ()n the rear end of shaft.

'87 is mounted an escapement wheel 39 having peripheral teeth 4.0 properly spaced. The post 36- carries a bolt orpin 41 on which is centrally pivoted a lever 42 provided at its ends with anchors 43 and 43 for engaging the teeth 40 off es'capement wheel 89.

The escapement wheel 39 carries one or more pawls l i pivoted on pins or screws 45. These pawls are normally held by springs 46 in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 47 fixed on shaft 37. Consequently,

the escapement wheel 39 moves with the shaft when the latter is turned clockwise, as 1nd1- cated by the arrow a in Fig. 2. However,

when the shaft 37 is rotated counterclockwise,

V 60 mounted on the right end of escapement being held locked by the lever 12. Thispermits the type wheel 18 to be moved axially on.

shaft 16 toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 1) back to initial position after the type wheel has reached the limit of its forward travel. In the present machine, this restor ing'operation of the type wheel is supposed to be performed by hand. That is, the opera tor simply pushes the wheel toward the left as far as it will go.

The escapement lever l2 is operated through the following connections. A rotary shaft 418 is journalled in bearings a9 on the end plates 10 and 11. To the right end of shaft -18 is attached an arm provided with a handle 51. A pair of eccentrics 52 and 53 are iixed on shaft 48 adjacent the plates 10 and 11. Each of these eccentrics carries a collar 54 having an arm or extension 55. On the extension 55 adjacent the plate 11 is fixed an angle arm 56 by screws or rivets 57. The free end of angle arm 56 carries a pin 58 to which is connected one end of a link 59. At the other end of this link is connected a pin lever 42.

\Vhen the handle 51 is pulled down, the ec- "centric 52 is rotated clockwise, indicated by the arrow Z) in Fig. 2. That lifts'the eccentric extension 55 and with it the angle arm 56, so that the right end of escapement lever 42 is raised out of the path of teeth 40 of escapement wheel 39. At the'same time, the left end of lever 42 is depressed, so that the escapement wheel is free to move the distance represented by the space 0 in Fig. 2. This step-by-step movement of the escapement wheel 39 every time the handle 51 is pulled down, causes the compressed spring 26 to move the type wheel 18 laterally one space along the line of printing.

1 shall now describe how the eccentric ex tensions'55 control the position of a carrier which holds the articles to be printed. On the inside of plates 10 and 11 are fixed a pair of guide pieces 61, between each pair of which reciprocates a plate 62. A carrier 63 is connected to the reciprocable plates 62, and is connected to the reciprocable plates 62, and is so shaped as to receive and firmly hold the article to be printed. In the machine as illustrated, the carrier 63 is adapted to receive the handles of toothbrushes. An inserted toothbrush is shown in the carrier at 6% in Figs. 2) and 4. To hold the handle of the toothbrush against possible movement Only the handle of the toothbrush is inserted,

' the brush part remaining outside the machine to serve as a handle for removing the toothbrush. One or both end plates 10 and 11 are provided with an opening 66 to permit insertion of the toothbrushes or other articles to be printed. The openings 66 are sufficiently long to permit movement of the inserted article by the carrier 63. The slidable plates 62 are each formed with a hole or cutaway portion 67 through which the inserted article projects. The plates 62 have each an extension 68 which is connected by a pin 69 to the adjacent eccentric arm 55.

I have previously explained that the type wheel 18 is provided with locking teeth 25. These teeth are engaged by a locking plate 70 mounted on shaft 48. The plate 70 is formed with a depending bevelled edge or flange 71 so shaped to fit snugly between the teeth 25 for locking the type wheel against movement during the printing operation. At the same time, the engagement of flange 71 with the teeth 25 serves to centralize the type wheel in printing position. If, for instance, the operator does not move the pointer 32 into the exact central position over the selected letter on the index 28, the corresponding letter on thetype wheel will not be exactly in printing alignment. However, when the handle 51 is pulled down and the flange 71 engages the teeth 25 of type wheel 18, any slight disaligmnent of the type wheel is automatically corrected when the bevelled flange 71 enters the wedge-shaped space between the teeth of the type wheel.

Any practical means may be used to mount the locking plate 70 on shaft &8. By way of example, I have shown the plate 70 attached to a hub or sleeve72 rotatably mounted on shaft 48. A tensioned coil spring 73 is at one end connected to a block 7 at fixed on shaft 48,,and the other end of the spring is connected to the hub or sleeve 7 2, as indicated at 75. The sleeve 72 has a cutaway portion 76 at the left end, as shown in Fig. 1. From the shaft 48 projects a radial pin 77 which moves in the cutaway portion 76 of sleeve 72. The tcnsioned coil spring 73 normally tends to turn the locking plate 70 downwardly, and so the upper shoulder of the cutaway portion 76 is held by the spring against the radial pin or stop 77. By this construction, the locking plate 7 O is mounted on shaft a8 so as to rotate therewith, except that the shaft can continue to turn after the locking plate has engaged the teeth 25 of type wheel 18. It is this continued or final movement of shaft 418 that moves the carrier into printing position after the type wheel has been locked by plate 70.

' Let us now see how the machine works from the time that a toothbrush (or other article) lSU rier 63, and is firmly held therein by one or both of the spring clips 65. It is assumed that the type wheel 18 is at its extreme left position, which may be called its initial or normal position. The operator then moves the arm 27 until thepointer 32 lies over the desired letter on the index band 28. The type wheel 18 has now been adjusted so that the corresponding letter is in printing position radially opposite the inserted toothbrush 64, but still out of contact therewith. The operator now pulls down the handle 51 as far as it will go. The locking plate moves down with the handle until the edge 'il-engages the teeth 25, whereupon the type wheel is locked in printing position. However, before this locking action takes place, the upward move ment of the eccentric arms 55 raises the link 59 and thereby rocks the escapement lever 42 counterclockwise (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2). Consequently, the anchor 48 lifted out of the path of the escapement teeth 10, while the anchor 13 is at the same time depressed. The escapement wheel 39 being thus released, the tensioned coil spring 26 instantly asserts itself and pusnes the type wheel 18 laterally until the anchor 43 of lever l2 arrests further movement of the escapement wheel in the direction of arrow (Z (see Fig. 2). Almost immediately after the printing wheel has thus been axially spaced, the bevelled flange 71 of locking plate 70 engages the teeth 25 of the type wheel and locks the latter against radial movement. The continued downward move ment of the crank-arm 50 causes the eccentrics 52 and 53 to raise the carrier 63 through the connections previously described. As the carrier is thus lifted radially toward the locked type wheel 18, the inserted toothbrush is firmly pressed against the aligned type to make an impression. As previously explained, the continued rotation of shaft 18 by the crank arm 50 after the locking engage- .ment of plate 70 with the type wheel is made possible by the fact that the pin 77 moves in the cutaway portion 7 6 of the now stationary sleeve 72. As soon as the handle 51 is released, the 'tensioned spring 73 turns the shaft 48 upwardly until. the pin 7 7 strikes the upper shoulder of the recess 76. This slight return movement of shaft 48 is sufficient to move the toothbrush out of engagement with the type wheel, so that the toothbrush can easily be withdrawn after the final printing operation.

After the first letter has thus been printed, the operator raises the handle 51 to move the plate 70 out of engagement with the type wheel, and the latter is now free to be adjusted into its next printing position. The upward movement of handle arm 50, not only releases the type wheel for radial adjustment, but it also rocks the escapement lever clockwise (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) to permit a forward movement of the escapement wheel until one of the teeth 10 engages the anchor 43 of lever 42. The operator now selects the next letter to be printed and the Operation above described-a tin takes place. Thisprocedure is repeated until the desired word, fig ures, or other indiciahave been printed on the inserted article.

The escapement lever 42 is rocked counter clockwise on each forward turn of the handle arm 50, and is rocked clockwise at eachreturn movement of the handle arm. The printing wheel 18 is thus given, two slight axial movements between each printing position for properly spacing the successive letters or other markingscarried by the type wheel. The length of locking plate 70 is such that it engages the type wheel from its initial or extreme left position to its final or extreme right position. The extent of axial movement of the type wheel after-each printing operation may be determined for each particular type of machine. The type wheel may. also be moved axially withoutperforming any printing on the inserted article. This is readily done by simply moving the handle arm 50 back and forth between the full-line and dotted-line positions shown iii-Fig. 3. 'This s11 ght movement of the handle arm is suflicient to oscillate the lever 12 for'releasing the escapement wheel 89 step-by-step.

. The movements ofthe eccentric arms 55 are not only up and down, but also toward the front and'rearof them'achine, so that the free end 56 of the angle piece 56 (see Fig. 2) moves in the axial direction of the connecting pm 58. To permit this movement of the member 56, the pin 58 passes freely through a hole 59 in link ing coil ends of pins 58 and'60 to hold them against undue player looseness during the operation of the machine. 7

My printing machine may be used to advantage in combination with coin-controlled vending mechanism to produce acombined printing and vending machine'in which the toothbrushes (or other articles to be printed) are delivered one at a time from a magazine to the carrier 63 when the handle arm 50 is pulled down, after the deposit of .a. coin. When I refer to my invention as a printing machine, I use the term in its broadest possible sense to designate a device that will im- 59. If necessary, a contractspring 7 8 may be connected to the free press readablenotations on the. inserted artiderstood that my invention'is not limited to the details set forth.

It is to be expected that,

in building a machine according to my invention,'the mechanical experts will not follow 7 the drawings in all details, but will probably resort to changes and modifications within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 7 I claim as my invention: a

1. In a printing machine, a type wheel adjustable radially and axially on a shaft so as to move along a printing line, a movable carrier having means for removably holding an elongated article to be imprinted, means for moving said carrier toward said type wheel to carry the article into printing contact there with, a tensioned coil spring arranged to urge the typewheelaxially along said shaft in a forward direction, and connections for automatically releasing said spring to shift said typewheel on the shaft after each printing operation so as to space the printed characters on said article.

2. In a printing machine, a movable carrier having means for removably holdin an elongated article to be imprinted, a type wheel radially adjustable to bring the desired type into printing position, a manually rotatable shaft on which said typewheel is slidably mounted, a second'manually rotatable shaft, means for slidably mounting said carrier independently of said second shaft, connections operable by said second shaft for moving said carrier toward said typewheel to impress the article, and means controlled by said connections for moving said type wheel axially to space the impressed characters.

3. In a printing machine, a type wheel adjustable radially and axially on a shaft so as to move along a printingline, a movable carrier adapted to receive anarticle to be imprinted, a second shaft substantially parallel with said first shaft, ahandle for operating said second shaft, connections between said second shaft and said carrier for moving the latter toward said type wheel to carry the ar ticlc into printing contact therewith, mean-s operated by said second shaft for automatically locking said type wheel against radial movement before each printing operation, and escapement mechanism automatically controlled by the movements of said second shaft to move the typewheel axially on its shaft after each printing operation for spacing the printed characters.

-4l. In a printing machine, a movable carrier adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, a type wheel mounted on a rotatable shaft so as to turn therewith but being slidable thereon, a member fixed on one end of said shaft at one side of the machine for rotating said shaft to bring the desired type into printing position a second shaft arranged substantially parallel with said first shaft, a

handle at the other side of the machine to operate the second shaft, connections between said second shaft and said carrier for moving the latter toward said type wheel to impress the article, means controlled by said second shaft for lockingsaid type wheel in printing position before the impression is made, said locking means automatically releasing the type wheel after each printing operation, and means controlled by said second shaft for moving said type wheel axially to space the impressed characters.

5. In a printing machine, a movable carrier having means for removably holding anelongated article to be imprinted, a type wheel mounted on a rotatable shaft so as to turn therewith but being slidablc thereon, means for turning said shaft in either direction to bring the desired type into printing position, asecond rotary shaft manually operable through a predetermined are, means for connecting said second shaft with said carrier for moving the same radiall toward and from said type wheel, said first shaft being radially adjustable independently of the second shaft, and escapement mechanism controlled by said second. shaft for moving said type wheel axially to space the. impressed characters.

6. In a printingmachine, a movable carrier having means for removably holding an elongated article to: be imprinted, a type wheel radially adjustable to bring the desired type into printing position, a rotary shaft connected with said carrler for moving the same radially toward and from said type wheel, escapement mechanism controlled by said shaftfor moving said type wheel axially to space the impressed characters, and means mounted on said shaft forengaging said typewheel to lock the same in printing position before the impression is made, the return movement of said shaft automatically releas ing said locking means.

7. In a printing machine, a rotary shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith but capable of axial movement thereon, means forturning said shaft to brin the desired type into printing position, a second rotary shaft opcratively disconnected from said first shaft so that the latter is radially adjustable independently of th second shaft, means connected to said second shaft for rotating the same, a slidable carrier adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, connections between said carrier and said second shaft to move the article against said type wheel, and means for moving said type wheel axially on its shaft to space the impressed characters.

8. In a printing machine, a rotary shaft, a

type wheel mounted. on said shaft so as to rotate therewith but capable of axial movement thereon, means for turning said shaft to bring the desired type into printing position, a second rotary shaft operatively disconnected from said first shaft so that the latter is radially adjustable independently of the second shaft, means connected to said second shaft for rotating the same, a movable carrier adapted to receive an article to be im- 'lllO said type wheel, means operated by said sec-' ond shaftto lock the type wheel, against radial movement before each printing operation, and means for moving said type wheel axially on its shaft to space the impressed characters. v

9. In a printing machine, a rotary shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so as to 1'0- tate therewith but capable of axial movement thereon, means for turning said shaft to bring the desired type into printing position, a sec- 0nd rotary shaft, a movable carrier adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, connections between said carrier and said second shaft to move the article against said type wheel, a spring normally tending to move said type wheel axially on its shaft, and escapement mechanism controlled by said second shaft to permit step-by-step axial movement of said type wheel by said spring, whereby the impressed characters are properly spaced along the printing line.

10. In a printingmachine, a rotary shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so to rotate therewith but capable of axial movement thereon, means for turning said shaft to bring the desired type into printing position, a second rotary shaft, a movable carrier adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, connections between said carrier and said second shaft to move the article against said type wheel, means for locking the type wheel against radial movement before each printing operation, a spring normally tending to move said type wheel axially on its shaft, and escapement mechanism controlled by said second shaft to permit step-by-step axial movement of said type wheel by said spring, whereby the impressed characters are properly spaced along the printing line.

11. In a printing machine of the class de scribed, the combination of a casing, a pair of rotary shafts independently mounted in the sides of said casing, a typewheel mounted on one of said shafts so as to rotate therewith, said typewheel being axially movable on said shaft, means operable from outside the casing for turning said shaft to adjust thetypewheel radially into printing position, a handle outside the casing for operating the other rotary shaft, a pair of eccentrics fixed on said handle shaft near the ends thereof, a pair of guides carried by the sides of said casing, a carrier slidably mounted in said guides, means on said carrier for removably holding an article to be printed, and means for connecting said carrier to said eccentrics to move the article into and out of printing contact with article to be printed, means independent of said shaft for guiding said carrier in its movements, means for connecting said carrier to said shaft to move the article into and out of printing contact with said type wheel, and a pivoted locking member operated by the rotary movements of said shaft and engaging said type wheel before each printing operation to lock the same against radial movement. 7

18; In a printing machineof the class 'described, the combinationof a casing provided with a pair of fixed bearings, a rotary shaft mounted at its ends in said fixed bearings, a radially and axially movable type wheel mounted on said shaft and having teeth over an arc of its periphery, mechanism for spacing said typewheel after each printing operation, a locking member mounted independently of said spacing mechanism, and means for moving said locking member into engagement with said teeth to lock the type wheel against radial. movement in any of its axially, spaced positions.

14. In a printing machine of the class described, a radially adjustable type wheel having bevelled teeth over an arc of its periphery, a rotary shaft, a member mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith and having a bevelled part adapted to fit snugly between said teeth for locking the type wheel in radially adjusted position and at the same time centralizing the same in printing posi; tion, and means permitting limited rotary movement of said shaft relatively to said member, said means including a'spring con nection between said member and said shaft.

15. In a printing machine of the class described, a radially andaxially movable type wheel having teeth over an arc ofits periphery, and a pivoted plate having a bevelled edge arranged to engage said teeth and lock the type wheel against radial movement, said locking edge being sufliciently long to engage the type wheel in any of its axial positions.

16. In a printing machine, the combination of a rotary shaft, a typewheel mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith, means whereby said wheel is axially movable on said shaft, a tensioned coil spring surrounding a portion of said shaft at one side of said wheel, whereby said spring always tends to urge said wheel along said shaft, a carrier for receiving an article to be printed, connections for relatively moving said typewheel and carrier to print said article, and escapement mechanism for automatically controlling the action of said spring to space said typewheel after each printing operation.

17. In a machine for printing on pencils, toothbrushes and other elongated articles, the combination of a casing, a pair of manually rotatable shafts supported independently of each other between the sides of said casing, a typewheel mounted on one of said shafts so as to rotate therewith and axially slidable thereon, a member outside the casing for turning said last-named shaft to adjust the type wheel radially into printing position, a pair of guides fixed at opposite sides of said casing, a pair of slidable plates mounted in said guides, a connection between each plate and the other rotatable shaft,a carrier supported by said plates and having a recess for removably holding an article to be printed, a handle outside of said casing for operating said second shaft to move said carrier toward the typewheel and press the article into printing contact therewith, and connections for automatically spacing said typewheel after each printing operation.

18. 'In a printing machine, a manually rotatable shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith and yet be axially adjustable thereon, a second rotary shaft, a pair of slidable members connected to said second shaft, a carrier supported by said members and adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, the operation of said second shaft moving said carrier toward said type Wheel to carry the article into printing contact therewith, and a locking member mounted on said second shaft and movable into engagement with said type wheel to lock the same against radial movement before each printing operation.

19. In a printing machine, a manually ro tatable shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith and yet be axially adjustable thereon, a second rotary shaft, a pair of slidable members connected to said second shaft, a carrier supported by said members and adapted to receive an article to be imprinted, the operation of said ing adapted to engage said type wheel in any of its axial positions on said first-mentioned shaft.

20. A printing machine comprising a rotary shaft, a type wheel mounted on said shaft so as to rotate therewith and yet ca pable of axial movement thereon, an arm for manually turning said shaft to bring the desired type into printing position, an index controlled by said arm to enable the operator to select the desired character for printing, a spring mounted on said shaft and normally tending to move said type wheel axially thereon to successive printing"positions, escapement mechanism for controlling the operation of saidspring, a second rotary sl1aft,,a carrier adapted to receive an article to be imprinted and radially slidable toward said type wheel, connections between said carrier and said second shaft for moving the carrier into and out of printing position when the shaft is turned one way and the other, means operated by said second shaft for controlling said escapement mechanism, and a locking member controlled by said second shaft to lock the type wheel against radial movementbefore each printing operation.

MINER P. WETMOEE. 

